We use cookies to collect and analyse information on site performance and usage, and to enhance and
customise content and advertisements. By clicking "OK" or by clicking into any content on this site, you
agree to allow cookies to be placed. To find out more visit the cookies section of our
privacy policy.

World Rowing Cups for 2015 and 2016 to fit in with Rio Olympic preparations, FISA announce

April 15 - Olympic considerations have been a major factor in the World Rowing Cup schedules drawn up for 2015 and 2016, the sport's international body has announced.

In each year, all three World Cups will be at European venues in accordance with the wishes of coaches ahead of the Olympic qualification year and the Rio Olympics in 2016.

And the opening World Cups in each will be structured as double regattas with two sets of finals - one on Saturday and one on Sunday - allowing coaches to try different combinations in racing.

The opening World Cups in each year have also been timed to fit in with the annual European Championships.

World Rowing Cup I in 2015 is at Bled in Slovenia from May 8 to 10, with the European Championships scheduled in Poznan in Poland from May 30 to 31.

World Rowing Cup I in 2016 will be at Varese in Italy from April 15 to 17.

Host for that year's European Championships, to be held from May 7 to 8, will be announced at the European Rowing Congress in the Serbian capital Belgrade on May 31.

"There are two reasons for the placement of the first World Cup into May in 2015 and April in 2016," said International Rowing Federation executive director Matt Smith.

"First, is that the coaches asked that we return to a European-based World Cup series in the Olympic qualification year and the Olympic year.

"Second, is that the European Championships have become a really good event and its placement in the calendar works well for the teams.

"Therefore, the first World Cup will be a double regatta to allow the coaches to try two different line-ups in boats and to test their international levels at this early point in the season.

"For the future, we are looking at the possibility of staging main events in each continent on the last weekend of May – either a continental championship or a major regatta – and the teams that medal at these events would earn World Cup points."

The second World Cup in 2015 will be held in Varese in Italy from June 19 to 21, and World Cup III will be at Lucerne in Switzerland from July 19 to 12, ahead of the World Junior Championships (Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, Rio, August 6 to 9) and World Championships (Aiguebelette, France, August 30 to September 6).

In 2016, World Cup II will be held in Lucerne from May 28 to 29 and will double as the Olympic trials, with World Cup III scheduled for Poznan from June 18 to 19.

Timeline

About the author

Mike Rowbottom, one of Britain's most talented sportswriters, covered the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics as chief feature writer for insidethegames, having covered the previous five summer Games, and four winter Games, for The Independent. He has worked for the Daily Mail, The Times, The Observer, The Sunday Correspondent and The Guardian.

inside the photos

Fact of the day

At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Iranian judoka Arash Miresmaeili was disqualified for weighing in at nearly four pounds above the limit for his weight class of his under-66 kilograms match against an Israeli opponent Ehud Vaks in the first round. It was claimed Miresmaeili had gone on an eating binge to protest the International Olympic Committee's recognition of the state of Israel. Iran does not recognise the state of Israel, and Miresmaeili's actions won praise from high-ranking Iranian officials. Mohammad Khatami, the country's President at the time, was quoted as saying Miresmaili's actions would be "recorded in the history of Iranian glories". He was later awarded $125,000 by the Government - the same amount given to Olympic gold medallists.

Featured Job

This position is responsible for expanding exposure of the UFC brand in its region and ensuring the effective integration of online and offline marketing campaigns. The ultimate goal is enlarging UFC fan base in the region and supporting UFC's business development in the market. The position will work daily with UFC media, social media, and sponsorship teams.

The Big Read

International Skating Union President Jan Dijkema has had to deal with emergence of rival, independent, commercial competitions which has seen the whole European sports model challenged but, as the Dutchman told Mike Rowbottom, he is confident that his sport has a bright future